HELP With Breastfeeding!!

This happened with me with my second. I think that I was just running around so much and not eating enough or drinking enough water that in the evenings I was on empty. Don't panic- I bet the milk is there in the morning.. but do remember to eat like you were pregnant and drink lots and lots of water, limit the caffeine, and it should be fine.

A couple of thoughts: the fact that you were upset can certainly prevent a good 'let-down' of milk. Also, not being well hydrated or having not eaten solid meals sometimes does it to me. My son's about the same age, btw, and recently had a real pig-out couple of days. I had pumped a lot ahead, since he wasn't nursing for very long and I was uncomfortably full. I pump a lot now that I'm back at work and if you do it a little more often, it might boost that supply. And lastly don't worry--whether you breastfeed, formula, or mixture of the two he'll be fine! (I don't know why we moms put such pressure on ourselves!)

All i can say is keep pumping. I had that problem with my first son and at 3mo i gave up and gave him formula. Nowmy newborn is 4weeks and even if he doesnt eat every 2hrs anymore i keep pumping. Itshelping alot especially if you have a good pump. it may take timebut hang in there.

I have just a couple remarks I can offer up. It is less work for a baby to nurse from the bottle. My son took a bottle for the first time @ 4 months and never went back to the breast. Cant say I blame the little ones, the milk probably really flows as opposed to having to work to get a meal. Also, I could NEVER pump. I have breast fed 3 kids....never could pump milk. I would pump forever and come out with an ounce. I doubt anything is wrong with your milk supply. Maybe you just cant "let down" and get it flowing. Although there are natural products you can buy to increase or help with your production if you think you really aren't producing enough. Might be worth looking into. Lastly you can always contact Laleche. http://www.lalecheleague.org/
Best O luck

Please do not fret. Just because you are not seeing any milk when you pump does not mean you are not producing. I am now nursing my third child. None of my kids have had a drop of formula. I know I product fine. BUT I am not a good pumper. It takes a long time to get any substantial amount. Your baby is MUCH more efficient at getting your milk than a mechanical pump, so fear not.

Also, he chugged that entire bottle b/c bottles are so easy. They don't require the effort that nursing does. So do not take that as a sign that he prefers the formula or that he was famished. It was just easy for him.

Honestly, if you want to have your husband take a turn, pump milk and let him feed the baby that. Formula will ultimately interfere with your nursing schedule and supply. But don't worry. You didn't mess up your supply with one feeding! Just get back to nursing often and you and your son will both benefit. He sounds perfectly healthy and a great little nurser!

OH....finally...more practice pumping will help you get more out. You have to relax and maybe your first time you were a little tense?

You are doing a great job, it sounds like to me. Keep it up!

First of all, I think you couldn't have letdown if you were stressed like you described. I pumped a lot when my son was breastfed because of being at work, stocking up, regulating supply, etc. And I could NEVER get anything if I wasn't relaxed. So that was probably it.

If you don't think that was it, were you taking any medication? Anything with a decongestant will completely dry you out until the medicine wears off. Also, make sure you are drinking a lot of water.

There are a lot of breastfeeding support groups available and I used them all!! LOL so if you want some links for online resources, please email me and I will be happy to pass them along.

hang in there! You're giving your baby the best nutrition and doing the best you can. :)

C.

he could just be going through a growth spurt and with you stressing out then trying to pump wont produce much. You could also have a blocked duct. Remember to drink plenty of water (at least 64 oz) and keep your calorie intake up.

L.,
I have breastfed for 17 months and can tell you that it's not all easy. The connection that I have with my son though is so worth it. I'm no expert so I will tell you the best way to get your tough questions like this answered is to contact the nursing mommies from the le leche league here in ABQ. They have special treaining in addition to the experience of nursing their own children. I am sure they can help you. Call them at ###-###-####. My own advice is not to worry to much (I know, easier said than done!) and don't give up! Just push through each barrier because if nursing is important to you, it's well worth it when your on the other side! Good Luck to you! M.

Take a deep breath... It'll be okay!! He is most likely going through a growth spurt and is sucking you dry. Your body will adjust to it and produce enough to meet his needs. The other thing that could be going on is teething (yes, even that early), or maybe you ate something that upset his stomach. I had to be careful with eating dairy while I nursed. When I did, sometimes my daughter would refuse to nurse for a few hours. And just to put your mind at ease, my daughter was in the 95% for weight when she was nursing exclusively... and I could barely pump out a drop! Pumping, for whatever reason, didn't work for me. I have friends it didn't work for, either. You were probably stressed because he was upset and that stress wouldn't allow you to relax enough to get anything out. It's normal! Don't worry!

Other than that, make sure you're drinking a TON of water and some sort of electrolyte-filled drink like Gatorade. That will increase your milk supply.

Hi, I don't know what would cause the lack of milk, but it might just be you are having a problem with you let down when you are pumping. but if it is a lack of milk suply you should try the herb funugreek, I had to relactate with my son who is 100% breastfed and it really helped the milk supply bump up to the level my bottomless pit needed, :) good luck to you. You should also contact La Leche League, they are lifesavers for breastfeeding moms. Good luck to you

Hi,
I didn't have a problem breastfeeding, but I have known some people who have. I think that there are suppliments you can take to help boost your mil supply. I have seen them at places like New Fronters and other natural food stores. You should talk to your doctor and check it out.

Sounds like you have been given some good advice and encouragment! I am nursing my fourth child right now and although my twins were supplemented, the other two have not been. One thing I have learned is that evenings are just fussy times for babies. At 10 weeks he could be having a growth spurt and is frustrated because your body has not adjusted yet to the new demand. Also, your supply is lowest in the evening hours, so it takes him a little more time and patience to get what he wants. I would recommend feeding on demand if you dont already, that will help stimulate your supply to increase and see if hubby can help you by taking care of your older son so you can spend a day or two just sitting around and nursing! Make sure you are drinking more water than you think you need to and eat frequent healthy snacks to give your body something to work with. My baby is 4 months today and I remember 10 weeks was a turning point for her. She became a lot more efficient at the breast and my supply seemed to regulate a bit more. One thing I have noticed is that since I have given in and just put her in bed with me to let her nurse more at night, my supply has really increased. She has become distractable during the day and wasn't eating as long as she needed to so she started waking more at night to nurse so I just started letting her lay beside me and nurse while I doze to get some extra sleep.

On another thought, had you eaten anything yesterday out of the ordinary that might have changed the flavor? We went out to dinner last night and I had something spicier than usual and my munchkin protested A LOT when she nursed to sleep last night! She had done that a week ago when I had chinese food also.

Good luck and don't give up! You can also see a lactation consultant, the ones are Pres are very good and they will bill your insurance :)

I agree with everyone who said that no milk when pumping is not an indicator of supply. I would also agree that stress is not good for your supply. I know, it's a tough cycle to break out of!

I would also add, make sure you have a good quality pump if you are going to keep trying to pump. Some of the pumps out there are not worth the plastic they're made out of and not only are not efficient, they can damage your breast tissue.

Keep up the good work and try to relax! :)

Maybe you have a low milk supply because you are not eating well and your baby is just not getting satisfied. Try eating alot of fruits and veggies and maybe your milk supply will come back. I only gave breastmilk to my baby for 4 months and I'm not ashamed to say it because I tried my very best and I know my daughter will be smart and healthy because of my efforts. Try your best but don't be ashamed if you can't breastfeed as long as you want to. Sometimes we just have to try our best and give the best we can to our children and that's the best we can do.

I don't know how much help this is, but this happened to me! When my daughter was 10 weeks, I suddenly had a serious drop in milk supply and could never pinpoint what had happened. I caught it later than it sounds like you did, though, and she lost a fair amount of weight and was dehydrated by the time I supplemented. Suggestions I got to help increase supply included going to bed with her for lots of skin-to-skin contact and unlimited nursing, or you could try Growing Life in Albuquerque ###-###-####) for nursing tea or tincture. My supply never did rebound entirely and I had to supplement from that point forward, but I ended up nursing until she was 7 or 8 months old anyway. Call a lactation consultant if you can, too. I was so sad to have to supplement, but it all turned out ok. Good luck to you!